Nagpur, Apr 20 (PTI) The Bombay High Court on Monday dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking recovery of cost for Z-plus security cover provided to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat from him, and raised questions over the plea’s motive.
The PIL, filed before the HC’s Nagpur bench, claimed the cost of security cover was reported to be Rs 40 lakh to Rs 45 lakh per month, which it said was a misuse of public money and loss to state exchequer as the RSS was not a registered organisation.
While dismissing the PIL, a division bench led by Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and also consisting of Justice Anil Kilor raised questions over the motive and intent of the petitioner in filing the plea, said the petitioner’s lawyer.
A detailed order of the court was awaited.
The PIL, filed by Nagpur resident Lalan Singh through his counsel Ashwin Ingole, contended that taxpayers’ money is being misused to provide Z-plus VVIP security to a person whose organisation is “unregistered”.
The petitioner sought recovery of charges from Bhagwat for the top-tier security given to him by the government.
He cited the 2023 Supreme Court judgement in a case related to well-known industrialist Mukesh Ambani wherein the SC directed that Z-plus security cover be provided to him as per the Government of India’s policy and the entire cost be borne by his family. PTI CLS RSY
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.